Interior Design Books: A Gorgeous New Design Book and Other Favorites
In this post: If you’re a fan of interior design books, you’ll love this stunning new design book. It belongs on our list of the best coffee table books.⇒
I’ll never forget the image I used as my focal point in my lamaze class when preparing to give birth.
Do they even still do that today? When I was pregnant with my first child, we were instructed by the lamaze coach to pick an image that inspires and calms us and to have it with us to focus on when we go into labor.
I kid you not. I picked an image of a kitchen that I loved.
Maybe that’s weird?
But beautiful surroundings have always inspired me and it’s only grown more important to me since then.
Fast forward to present day and I’m still moved by beautiful settings. It’s no doubt the reason why home decor is my passion and why I approach entertaining with the attention to visual detail that I do.
With the advent of the internet and platforms like Pinterest, devotees of ambiance found an endless supply of motivating eye candy.
I also confess to enjoying real life magazines, curling up on the sofa sipping a nice cup of tea.
Yet the plum prize, and one of the simplest luxuries to indulge in, is an exquisite coffee table book chock full of inspiration.
From the crisp hard cover to the embossed title, and the lovely printed end sheets to the lush page leaves, a quality design book is one of those little joys we can access to add pleasure to our day.
One such gem has come across my path this week and I’m delighted to share it with you. It’s called French Country Cottage Inspired Gatherings and the author is my friend Courtney from the blog French Country Cottage. You’ve likely seen me share images from her blog posts, and like me, perhaps you’re already smitten with her design style.
The new book features her stunning photography, as she illuminates what makes a gathering uniquely special.
The content is brand new and with each turn of the page, you’ll be delighted and surprised at the broad and varied sites that play host to her gorgeous get-togethers.
More than once I turned to a page and discovered a photo that took my breath away.
Besides the enchanting imagery, the book is structured to be more than just aspirational.
It opens with a section that provides practical guidance on the essential elements of a memorable gathering, breaking it down into layers that add up to the spectacular result.
Next the book serves up an impressive array of picturesque examples, grouped into sections titled ‘Small Gatherings’, ‘Entertaining at Home’ and ‘Inspirational Settings’. The breadth of the offerings is truly extraordinary.
The book winds down with a chapter dedicated to florals, which underscores the exceptional talent Courtney has with arranging bouquets.
Ultimately, it’s the magical environments that Courtney creates throughout her book that gives it its unique identity, setting it apart from other books in its genre.
If you’d like to give yourself or someone you love a charming and uplifting gift, this is the book for you!
I am happy to have the opportunity to GIVE AWAY a copy of Courtney’s book Inspired Gatherings to one lucky winner!
To enter for a chance to win just leave a comment below. For additional chances to win leave a comment on my other posts this week (there will be a post Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). The winner will be announced on Sunday.
Good luck!!
Interior Design Books Shopping Guide
If you already own this wonderful book or would like to collect several, you might be interested in the other options I’ve curated below. They include Courtney’s first book, French Country Cottage, along with some of my other favorites. Click on the items below for direct links to the books. I’ve provided many options for a broad range of tastes.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
IF YOU LIKED THIS POST, YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
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- Thanksgiving Tables: My Top 12 Fall Table Settings
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What a beautiful book. I would be proud to own it.
I too love beautiful coffee table books that depict the warmth and welcome of home. Not only do they serve inspiration to make our homes beautiful and peaceful places to live, they provide a conversation piece that expresses our unique personality!
Yes, I love a beautifully illustrated decorating book or magazine, and I love big coffee table books. Would love to win this one!
As much as I love Pinterest and Instagram, nothing beats sitting in a cozy chair with my cup of tea, dreaming over a book chock full of design ideas and stunning vignettes. It’s truly a great escape. The images you have shared today from Courtney’s book are breathtaking…
Thanks for making my morning!
I’ve been following the French Country Cottage blog for quite some time and I never tire of the incredible images and exquisite vignettes. I could just move into Courtney’s dreamy greenhouse!
I’ve always loved books and especially loved flowers. My mother had what you would call a black thumb, she killed every plant she ever owned! But, she was talented with the sewing machine and could whip up curtains and a bedspread faster than anyone I know. But it left me with a desire to have a home and yard filled with plants and flowers. The photo of the lilacs is breathtaking, the colors piercing in their intensity. It’s amazing how much pleasure can be derived from a cup of tea and a decorating book filled with these images!
Oooh la la! So many pretties!
Gorgeous book!
I have her first book and use it as a guide for my own decorating. I’ve love to win her new book. Thanks for the opportunity.
Since retiring I usually have to wait to get decorating books from the used section on Amazon! I would love to not have to wait for this one!
I love coffee table books. “Inspired Gatherings” is a beautiful one and would love to win it.
Have been following Courtney since she started. I should be so proud to have a copy of her new book. It looks truly beautiful.
Thanks so much for inviting me to share your love of beautiful decorated books. I’m also a magazine junkie and books give me great joy for years to come and I love using them in my home decor. I love going through each page and finding something new to add to my home and share with others. Many of the books you have listed I haven’t even heard of and I’m looking forward to sourcing out. Thanks again for sharing?
That book looks amazing!!! Wouldn’t expect anything else though.
XO- MaryJo
Everything French just melts my heart!
I love your blog and would really enjoy this book!
I absolutely love this book! Courtney’s photography is amazing and how she ties it all together is fantastic would love to add this book to my dream library
Don’t you just love it when a picture in a decorating book takes your breath away? …..aah…I do! I sure hope I win!
Wow that book looks amazing. I’d love a copy.
Love, love your blog!
Beautiful book,full of decorating inspiration
Long time ago I worked for a publisher and coffee table books were my absolute favourite. My husband’s uncle happened to be in charge of staff sales, so was always on the lookout for books for me. The selection he kept back for me where home interiors and flower arrangements. My collection before my children came along was proudly displayed for all my visitors to enjoy. I’d love this book to restart my collection, as my old books were damaged when we had leak in our attic.
I love to browse through decorating books and this one looks very interesting!
Oh how I love a fabulous decorating book! I would love to have Courtney’s new book..so much better to get lost in a wonderful book instead of the internet?Thanks for the chance!
I have followed your blog for awhile now and you are rubbing off on me!
Your organization posts have been so valuable to me. I think I am ready
for more – thank you for the give away opportunity for such a lovely
book.
This is a truly beautiful book. Your opening paragraph made me smile. I am also moved by a beautiful scene or photo. I had fixate on how someone has put together a vignette or decorated a side table. Incidentally, I feel that way about your kitchen. Everything from the lights, countertops and cabinets are pure perfection. That is how I initially started following your blog. I saw your kitchen somewhere and had to learn more.
Thank you Ruth! And that is lovely to hear… 🙂 It’s so funny when we look at others’ homes whom we wish to emulate and we forget that our own homes can inspire, as well.
The exquisite way to wile away the day.
So many gorgeous home decor books, so little time! I could get lost for hours among them! Thanks for the chance to win a new addition!
I would love this book. Please pick me.
I would love to win this!!? Such a beautiful book!! I love inspirational books!
Just takes your breath away!!
??
I’m in love with all the floral arrangements! I wish I could live inside every page! This book would be an indulgence into my daydreaming heart.